MALU SHARMA
Karwa Chauth’ the festival, the tradition, the ritual indeed commemorates women’s unending love and immense sacrifice for her husband. Karva Chauth is an annual one-day festival celebrated by married women in Hindu religion. Karva Chauth fast is unique perhaps because nowhere in the world makes women go without food or water just to pray for longevity and well being of her husband. In modern times, with all the paraphernalia of marketing joints, Karwa Chauth, the big day turned into a strong event in itself. The event is becoming bigger with each passing day.
The women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands. The festival is called Karwa Chauth as it falls on the fourth day after the full moon night before Diwali. Women begin preparing for Karva Chauth a few days in advance, by buying cosmetics, traditional ornaments or jewellery and puja items, such as the karwa lamps, matthi, meethi matthi, henna and the decorated puja thali.
After Navratri, crowds have started growing in the markets for the purchase of Karva Chauth items. The busy Raghunath Nath Bazar Market, Purani Mandi market, Link Road market, Raj Tilak Road market, Fattu-Chaughan market, and other local markets are flooded with gift items and other related items. Women can be seen shopping.
Karwa Chauth celebrations seem incomplete without mehandi. Temporary stalls have been put up by mehendi designers in front of malls and in local markets where people can get beautiful mehendi drawn on their hands at a cheaper price. Mehandi imprints are also becoming common.
With changing time, the rituals of Karva Chauth has also changed a bit, as it is commonly being observed by unmarried women as well as husbands who wish to share the amazing and overwhelming experience with their wives.
Sargi is another crucial ritual of the festival, where the mother-in-law personally presents it to her daughter-in-law on Karva Chauth. The Sargi plate includes a variety of items such as fruits, mathri (a kind of fried bread), sweets, dry fruits, and other edibles. Both the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law partake in the Sargi before sunrise. This shared meal strengthens their bond and enhances the sense of togetherness during this special day.
